A Comprehensive Spatial-Temporal Channel Propagation Model for the Ultra-Wideband Spectrum 2-8 GHz

Despite the potential for high-speed communications, stringent regulatory mandates on Ultra-Wideband (UWB) emission have limited its commercial success. By combining resolvable UWB multipath from different directions, Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) systems can drastically improve link robustness or range. In fact, a plethora of algorithms and coding schemes already exist for UWB-MIMO systems, however these papers use simplistic channel models in simulation and testing. While the temporal characteristics of the UWB channel have been well documented, surprisingly there currently exists but a handful of spatial-temporal models to our knowledge, and only two for bandwidths in excess of 500 MHz. This paper proposes a comprehensive spatial-temporal model for the frequency spectrum 2-8 GHz, featuring many novel parameters. In order to extract the parameters, we conduct an extensive measurement campaign using a vector network analyzer coupled to a virtual circular antenna array. The campaign includes 160 experiments up to a non line-of-sight range of 35 meters in four buildings with construction material varying from sheetrock to steel.